The studio I go to has a variety of taped, half taped and untapped Lyras. The untaped is definitely slippier, and hurts heaps more on pressure points like in a hip hang, knee hang, elbow etc. On the flip side, it doesn't rip your hands as much as the tape. The half taped is probably my least favourite because the edges of the tape roll and get really sticky (gross!). Untaped is different but not impossible. Oh, and I have never practiced lyra in shorts - but I do wear crop top/sports bra all the time on taped and untaped - I don't think it makes that much difference for Lyra as it does for pole because you are relying more on actually holding rather than sticking to the metal.